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Are You Prepared For A Water Supply Disruption?

"City ravaged by chain explosions...chemicalalso need water for food preparation,
company razed...oil refineries explode andbathing, brushing teeth and dish washing.
burn...utilities disrupted...water supplyStore a 3-5 day supply of water (a minimum of
condemned after a fire broke out on aat  least  5  gallons  for  each  person).
freighter  in  port."
A clean water supply is also essential for
"Power outage sparks one of the worst waterfighting disease and medical emergencies. For
crises in the city's history as all fourexample, any loss of blood increases our
water  pumps  go  down  at  once."water  intake  requirements  substantially.
"Seven people dead and 2,300 ill after one ofBottled water is helpful and easy, but it may
the town's wells becomes contaminated with E.not always be available. For example, if both
Coli."the water infrastructure and transportation
system are unusable, deliveries of bottled
These headlines are not the result ofwater and other supplies might be difficult
terrorist activities. Accidents, lack ofif not impossible. What would you do when
training and expertise and equipment failureyour bottled water supply ran out? What if
brought about these disasters, whichthe local stores ran out or the supply was
highlight the vulnerability of our watercontaminated? This kind of scenario could
systems. If these types of incidents wereeasily happen in a major hurricane,
purposely carried out by terrorists, the lossearthquake or terrorist attack. There are
and destruction could be far worse. Ourseveral things that you can do to prepare for
nation's water systems can be disrupted andthis  eventuality.
are  potential  targets  for  terrorism.
First, become knowledgeable and file the
J. Edgar Hoover, in 1941, warned that ournecessary information where it will be
water systems were potentially vulnerablereadily available in an emergency, such as in
targets. Because they are critical to our wayyour emergency kit. There are plenty of
of life and the economic viability of ourresources  available  to  help  you  prepare.
country, Presidential Directive 63 (May 1998)
identified our nation's water systems as oneTo start, check the Department of Homeland
of the eight critical infrastructures subjectSecurity, FEMA and CDC websites for emergency
to  attack  by  terrorists.preparation  information.
Reducing  Our  VulnerabilitySecond, in addition to the recommended three
day supply of food and water, consider
Much has been done to improve security andstoring additional water in larger storage
reduce our vulnerability since the 9/11tanks or drums in the garage, basement or
terrorist attacks in the United States. Westorage shed. Plastic water storage tanks and
have struck back at terrorism militarily.drums, which are generally recommended, are
Congress has passed several landmark piecesrelatively inexpensive. An additional 200
of legislation. The Department of Homelandgallons of water storage would extend your
Security was established. Industries,water supply to 200 days for one person or 50
businesses and critical sections of thedays for a family of four. Make sure to also
infrastructure, including water suppliers,have an emergency kit in your car as you
have done vulnerability studies and continuemight not be at home when an emergency
to implement strategies to reduce theirsituation  occurs.
vulnerability.
Third, be sure to include some simple water
Impacts  of  Hurricane  Katrinadisinfectant tools available so that you can
make use of any available raw water supplies.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 are aOne such disinfectant is common, unscented,
perfect example of a major water andliquid,  household  bleach.
wastewater system disruption. Thousands of
people were directly impacted for months andSeveral simple techniques for disinfecting
many still have not returned to the affectedwater  are  listed  below.
areas.
Boiling-Boil vigorously for one minute. At
According to a Congressional Research Servicealtitudes above one mile, boil for three
Report for Congress dated October 19, 2005,minutes.
the EPA estimated that more than 1,220
drinking water systems and more than 200Chlorine Bleach-When boiling is not
wastewater treatment facilities in Louisiana,practical, chemical disinfection should be
Mississippi and Alabama had been impacted byused. The two chemicals commonly used are
the  hurricane.chlorine and iodine. When the available
chlorine in the bleach is known use the
The same CRS report notes that two weeksfollowing ratios:1% - 10 drops per quart, 4
after the hurricane, 30% of the affectedto 6% - 2 drops per quart, 7 to 10% - 1 drop
drinking water systems and 40% of theper quart, if unknown use 10 drops per quart.
affected wastewater facilities were againIf water is cloudy or the water temperature
operational. However, many of the inoperableis extremely cold double, the amount of
drinking water and wastewater plants servechlorine.
the  largest  number  of  customers.
Tincture of Iodine-Common household iodine
Federal, state and local agencies shipped infrom the medicine chest or first aid kit may
bottled water and bulk water supplies. Forbe used to disinfect water. Add five drops of
instance, one company (Anheuser-Busch)2 percent United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.)
donated more than two million cans of waterTincture of iodine to each quart of clear
per week to the Katrina relief efforts inwater. For cloudy water add ten drops and let
September  2005.the  solution  stand for at least 30 minutes.
Citizen  PreparednessFourth, there are a variety of small,
portable water decontamination units
However, since we are still vulnerable, howspecially made for hikers and backpackers.
would the citizens of this country react to aThese units are designed to take raw water
prolonged disruption of their water supply?from  streams  or  lakes and make it potable.
The Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans
gives us an idea. Many area water andHaving one or two of these units per family
wastewater systems were disrupted for days,of four is an excellent option. Plus,
weeks or months. Water and food supplies hadincluding one of these units in your
to  be  brought  in  for  months  afterward.emergency automobile kit is also recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS),Much of what is being done to protect our
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)water supply can only really be effective if
and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)Americans themselves become informed and
recommend having at least a three day supplyaware. The American Water Works Association
of food and water per person to cope with any(AWWA) notes, "In many cities and small
emergency. The minimum drinking watertowns, the public is the first line of
suggested supply is 1 gallon per person perdefense, serving as an extra set of eyes
day. The US Army Survival Manual uses anwatching over key utility assets such as
absolute minimum of 2 quarts per day pertanks, reservoirs and even fire hydrants."
person in a cold climate and much more in aThis first line of defense also extends to
hot climate. Activity level also affects yourour families and communities by being
water intake requirement. In addition, youprepared for a water system disruption.



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